John William Belcher

John William Belcher of Troy, AL, passed away Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the age of 72.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Park Memorial Methodist Church with Rev. Brian Dovey officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memorial Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory directing. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 PM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Amy Elizabeth Belcher Scholarship Fund, c/o Park Memorial Church, 750 Elba Highway, Troy, AL 36079.

John graduated from Charles Henderson High School, Class of 1971. He earned his master’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business from Troy State University. He worked for 10 years with John Harvell at Alabama Pest Control and dedicated 32 years to the Alabama Department of Agriculture.

John loved his wife of 45 years and was devoted to his daughters and grandchildren. He was a proud Papaw. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. His favorite and most cherished place was “the River,” which became his second home.

John’s memory will live on in the hearts of his family and all that were blessed to know him.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy Elizabeth Belcher; parents, John and Frances Belcher; sister, Sue Ann Capell; and brother-in-law, John Kent.

Survivors include his wife, Gilda Weeks Belcher of Troy, AL; daughters, Emily Brookins of Troy, AL, and Laura (Bryan) Tillis of Enterprise, AL; grandchildren, Matthew Kade Brookins of Phenix City, AL, Amy Katherine Tillis of Enterprise, AL, Zane William Brookins of Troy, AL, and Scout Elizabeth Tillis of Enterprise, AL; sister, Margaret “Peggy” Kent of Prattville, AL; niece, Sandy Kent of Deatsville, AL; nephew, Johnny (Tina) Kent of Troy, AL; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew Kade Brookins, Zane William Brookins, Johnny Kent, Bryan Tillis, Trey Kent, Chad Jordan and Kevin Maddox.